Alberta takes a step forward.

[emtannie]

Thank you for the info, micpar..... I read the interview and I am assuming that the region that they were talking about is Peace region... as I am in the other pilot project test region, I am adding my comments to some of the ones noted in the above interview... I have removed some parts of the interview that I am not directly relating my comments to.

Deployment....

Movement of trucks – (for coverage) – outlying stations can remain unmanned for up to 90min then other units will “flex” to the half way point or “flex” to another station.

- in my area, I am in an outlying part of the region.... when my unit goes on a call, the next closest unit is 30 miles away, and they do not flex.

- there are times when my unit may be out on a call for up to 5 hours, if we have to transport to the city hospital. No crew flexes to cover for us, so if there is another call in my area during that time, the patient will be waiting an additional 30 minutes for an ambulance.

- it was this way before regionalization, and no changes have been made to increase service in my area of the region due to low call volumes

Do you do “Newton’s Cradle”? Newton’s Cradle is the movement of a patient from outlying area to major center by the unit from the outlying area exchanging with the “city” unit at a designated half way point. The rural unit continues on to the city with city staff and the city unit returns to the rural station with the rural staff. This process is found to get the rural unit in service quicker and it is safer to exchange crews rather than exchange the patient. This process was developed in this health region and the answer is YES.

- this has been brought into our region in theory, but not in practice

- city crews do not wish to exchange units with rural crews, as the rural crews have the older ambulances and there have been occasions where the city crew has refused to exchange units when they have met up with a rural crew...

Fire response full time vs. volunteer

When are they utilized? Fire services are utilized as co-responder and first responders. A co-responder would be utilized in a highway collision and a first responder would be utilized when there is no EMS in the community. First responder program is not limited to the fire department but also accesses civilians and equips them with medical aid equipment. This is also the case at large industrial sites that are a distance from the nearest EMS station.

- our region utilizes firefighter first responders in rural areas, as well as first responders who are either EMR's or nurses.

- the EMR's or nurses who respond are volunteers, and are provided with some equipment, and are paid on an honorarium basis by the region; this format of EMR/nurse first responder is utilized in very low call volume areas where response time for the ambulance is long

Stations amenities

When are you allowed to sleep/eat? No scheduled meal breaks and staff prefer the full days pay to unpaid meal break. Sleep is allowed in the last 6 hours of the night shift.

- crews are not allowed to sleep on night shift

Equipment

There is currently no spare equipment.

Is all equipment standardized?

- we are the same here - there is no spare equipment, which has been of concern to rural units when they use a spineboard, sager or KED and can't get a replacement, or when their Entonox bottle is empty.

- equipment is fairly standardized, but the vehicles are not.

Dispatch/ communications

Lateral movement/bargaining unit? Dispatch is currently within the bargaining unit and employees can transition from the floor to the dispatch center but it will be with a reduced rate of pay.

Do you have GPS, Imobile or other mapping aids?

Do you think your dispatch center is capable of handling more volume or more expansion? Dispatch recently had a retrofit and they have outgrown it. Current dispatch system needs to move to another facility?

What do you think is going to happen to your dispatch center in the future? Unknown.

- we do have GPS in all ambulances

- our dispatch centre, due more to politics and internal issues, can't really handle the region as it is... they are chronically short-staffed due to staff turnover, and new staff are under-trained and unfamiliar with the areas in the region and the units

- there is no transition between EMS and dispatch; dispatch remains a completely separate entity with no staff movement between

[tniuqs]

I thought I would just throw this in for good measure and comparison and perspective from the industrial regulations dictated by Stelmach and his very old alberta conservative old boys club to industry.

The regs more or less:

If an Industrial operation has over 200 workers on site, and site is more than 40 minutes from a Hospital, and High Risk Industry (which by Government classifies ALL work other than clerical) then OH+S dictates that there must be an EMT-P or RN on that site.

It certianly becomes crystal clear that the Govenment is more than pleased to dictate these standard to Industry (and Industry foot's the bill for health care) but it fails miserably/ tragically when it comes to the taxpayers and the government coffers.

Do I sense a double standard here?

Add to the due dilegence laws, that currently drive the safety industry ... I would be very happy to see a taxpayer hold the govenment accountable and sue the government for failing to apply thier own rules of engagement, hey maybe a class action suit ? Thing is I bet my botom dollar that in your riding the MLA is a conservative too. :twisted: Some of these issues really stick in my throat and get really difficult to swallow at times. I so wish a Paramedic would run as an MLA some day, just to tune up the Legislature into the realities instead of the present advisors to government.

Stats Canada indicate that there is 10 times more injuries in the Home and the highest risk assessment is travel to and from the workplace, just saying appled research is not the government's forte athough they proffess from the new documents "handbook to transition" I love the pictures and diagrams !

Did you know that in Stelmachs riding "vegatable" or commonly refered to as cardiac central, oh sorry Vegreville was an ALS service, but Volunteer Fire Based Service now, Vegreville punted the last Private ALS Provider to the curb and word has it that very few EMT-P have applied, could be the pitance of a salary they are offering just in passing, perhaps our new smiling Premier is having the wool pulled over his eyes by the very advisors he employes ?

end rant.

Sorry back on topic: A huge step forward for Alberta ? Who started this thread anyway?

So more question's Annie ...

Is your GPS a handheld device have capability of programing mapping or is it one from walmart?

If you have low call volume why can't you sleep on night shift ... thats so much bull I can't believe it, I do have a study somewere will look and does your Fire Department get to sleep, I just bet their call volume is way lower.

And what was the cost to restructure Peace and Palliser regions again ? ps I know that answer btw. but you still do not have a spare traction splint, backboard or KED .. for shame.

No improvement in coverage since the restructuring and no flex and no "newtons cradle" btw I can see why this concept does not work in realty jump in someone elses truck with no standardization this is a recipe for a disaster.

Is there any large Projects (industrial) going on in your area, and if so do you have any mutual aid agreements with those operations ?

Sad that low call volume is the ratonalle used for a coverage model as opposed to the acuity of patients.

Just what would be the downside if Mike and Ian visited your Hood?

cheers

[emtannie]

So more question's Annie ...

Is your GPS a handheld device have capability of programing mapping or is it one from walmart?

If you have low call volume why can't you sleep on night shift ... thats so much bull I can't believe it, I do have a study somewere will look and does your Fire Department get to sleep, I just bet their call volume is way lower.

And what was the cost to restructure Peace and Palliser regions again ? ps I know that answer btw. but you still do not have a spare traction splint, backboard or KED .. for shame.

No improvement in coverage since the restructuring and no flex and no "newtons cradle" btw I can see why this concept does not work in realty jump in someone elses truck with no standardization this is a recipe for a disaster.

Is there any large Projects (industrial) going on in your area, and if so do you have any mutual aid agreements with those operations ?

Sad that low call volume is the ratonalle used for a coverage model as opposed to the acuity of patients.

Just what would be the downside if Mike and Ian visited your Hood?

cheers

The GPS unit we have is actually very nice... a laptop unit which is mounted between the driver and passenger seats. I don't know what the software is (and am too lazy to go look at the moment) but I have to admit, it has been useful on some of our more remote calls.

I do know that FD gets to sleep on night shift... and I am also aware of the studies regarding sleeping on night shift - I have forwarded those to our regional supervisor, but suspect they hit the recycle bin quickly.

I know the cost of regionalization.... tniuqs my dear.... you and I both know that pocket lining is an expensive venture..... heaven forbid those funds go to a spare sager.

All of the units have been standardized as to equipment, so BLS units are stocked the same as ALS. I agree with you that "Newton's Cradle" will never work, even with the standardization of equipment, because the vehicles themselves aren't standard, so the cabinets are different, and items won't be in the same location - a nightmare if you have a critical patient. Switching from a nice new unit to one that has over 300,000 km on it is part of the issue as well. I can't blame the crew that has the nice unit for not wanting to switch to the old worn out one.

Although there is a lot of oilfield activity in our area, we don't have mutual aid agreements with industrial crews.

[tniuqs]

I know the cost of regionalization.... tniuqs my dear.... you and I both know that pocket lining is an expensive venture..... heaven forbid those funds go to a spare sager.

I forwarded a email note suggesting a device known as the "Kendrick Traction Splint" or the "CT-6 there about a hundred bucks and would fill the gap nicely until rural services get the Sager back, they are ajustable for peds too. another option is the OSS Oregon Spinal Splint (akin to the KED) in conjunction with a SKED ... maybe get your Fire department to get one, they have way deeper pockets.

Hell if you want a KTS, I will donate one.

cheers

So are Mike and Ian visiting or are you HSAA?

[Canadian Caesar]

Units may have 1 paramedic and 1 EMR on due to staff shortage. Since transition there has been a degradation of service.

Isn't that a BIG no-no in Alberta? EMR's CANNOT work with medics I thought...

[tniuqs]

Isn't that a BIG no-no in Alberta? EMR's CANNOT work with medics I thought...

I think you have missunderstood.

What micpar is stating: In fact he is providing information from a fact finding mission to Peace Country Health the first area to be "transitionized" well if thats a word, I have better words but I don't wish to be banned just yet.

The scope of practice of an EMT-P is not affected at all, if it were then every industrial operator, every PRU and the OH+S regulations would be forced to be changed.

Biling for the ALS sevices is the issue, as the old definition of ALS UNIT was one EMT and one EMT-P (minimum) but give the government a minuite that could change too.

hope that helps.

[micpar]

the RFP that has been put out by the government is 70 pages long, its going to take some time to review but a co-worker has pointed this little bit out to me.

I like this part...

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST REQUIREMENTS

"Service Providers must illustrate the ability for dispatch staff to have immediate access to someone with Paramedic certification or equivalency or higher for real time decision making on situations or decisions not appropriately addressed by accepted protocols."

[Dustdevil]

"Service Providers must illustrate the ability for dispatch staff to have immediate access to someone with Paramedic certification or equivalency or higher for real time decision making on situations or decisions not appropriately addressed by accepted protocols."

Not sure I understand all that. I mean, the "communicator" himself should be that medical professional. Passing the buck in the middle of a 911 call has been proven time and time again to be a really, really bad idea.

And, of course, if the situation doesn't fit neatly into your silly protocols, just dispatch a damn ambulance and quit screwing around. What other "decision" needs to be made?

[micpar]

Alberta Coalition of CUPE Paramedics

Calgary * Camrose * Cochrane * Edmonton *

Fort MacLeod * Parkland * St. Paul *

Taber * Westlock

Provincial in Design and Local in Delivery

Paramedics representing Paramedics

With the endorsement and support of the Alberta Coalition of CUPE

Paramedics, Rick Fraser, Paramedic and President of Local 3421 in Calgary

and Gerry Wiles, Paramedic and President of Local 3197 in Edmonton have

been working diligently to contact all elected officials that will have an impact

on the future of Alberta Paramedics. We have been in direct contact with

Alberta Health and Wellness, Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry,

Alberta Health Services Board Representatives, both the Calgary and

Edmonton, elected MLA’s, civic politicians and government policy makers.

Our message is that Paramedics must continue to be able to represent

Paramedics if we are to be an integral part of the health care system.

Our Coalition has been making the case throughout this transition that

Paramedics can be a great asset to our health care system with our credentials,

our experience and our willingness to be active participants in the transition

process.

Under current legislation, there are four functional bargaining units in

health care in each health region – direct nursing; auxiliary nursing; general

support services; and paramedical professional and technical. Without a change

to the current legislation Paramedics would be absorbed into one of the four

functional bargaining units without a vote.

Provincial in Design and Local in Delivery

Paramedics representing Paramedics

Through our Coalition we are speaking out about the importance of EMS

best practices that support our ability to deliver top notch emergency medical

services. We are the only Paramedics speaking about the future of EMS,

recruitment and retention, and the need for more appropriate recognition for the

responsibility we have in our communities and the lives we impact.

Our Paramedic Coalition has and will continue to take strong leadership

to move our profession forward. We will continue to take our rightful place as

emergency health care professionals, with appropriate and comparable wages

and benefits, in the health care system.

The Alberta Coalition of CUPE Paramedics are united in this message.

Paramedics have the right to represent Paramedics.

Alberta Coalition of CUPE Paramedics.

The Alberta Coalition of CUPE Paramedics is the only group of

unionized Paramedics taking an active role in the transition of EMS to health

services. We are speaking out about the potential advancement of Paramedics

through good medical direction. We are speaking out about the opportunity for

higher education in universities so that eventually we can do our own medical

base evidence research for our profession. We are the only Paramedics

speaking out about our rights and our vision for the future.

We are asking the provincial government and lobbying MLA’s and

government policy makers to designate a 5th functional bargaining unit for

Paramedics. This bargaining unit would include all ambulance attendants in

each health region. This will give Paramedics the right to play an integral role

in our future without conflict of interests from other allied health professionals.

With the designation of a 5th functional bargaining unit Paramedics would have

the right to decide who is the ‘best’ bargaining agent to represent Paramedics.[/align]

[HellsBells]

Well, Beyond the call for a provincial union, has anyone heard anymore news from the province. The change is only three months away and I have heard zero new input from the province as to what the transition will look like.